newslounge.co · Oct 10, 2024

Good Morning. 

This is news lounge. The VFX/AI newsletter that sums up the week faster than you can hit 'skip intro' on Netflix.

🙋‍♂️Ok Let’s see… I got to say this, I don't have many regrets in life, but one definite one would be not going all out in Nvidia stock six months ago. 2025 is going to be wild for sure but also US federal deficit hits $1.8 trillion so who knows.

Here’s what we got for you today:

• AI Godfather

• How To Flux? - Flux 1.1[Pro]

• Project Arena" by Chaos Group

• The Expansion of VFX Market

-Ardy

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HEADLINE

NOBEL PRIZE AWARDED TO AI 'GODFATHER' EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER HIS CREATION

Imagine if Dr. Frankenstein received a Nobel Prize for bringing his eight-foot creation to life. This is how machine-learning pioneer Geoffrey Hinton might feel after being named a co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics yesterday. Hinton was honored for his groundbreaking work in the 1980s on neural networks, the very technology that now underpins advanced artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, creations he increasingly hopes to see responsibly managed.

Sharing the Honor
Hinton shares the Nobel Prize and the accompanying $1 million prize with fellow tech pioneer John Hopfield. Hopfield’s foundational work on neural networks was instrumental in shaping Hinton’s research, which has significantly advanced the field of artificial intelligence. Their collective efforts have laid the groundwork for modern AI applications, including those that are revolutionizing industries today.

Reflections on AI’s Future
Despite the accolades, Hinton remains cautious about the rapid advancements in AI technology. His concerns mirror a broader dialogue within the tech community about the ethical implications and potential risks associated with increasingly autonomous and intelligent systems. As AI continues to evolve, voices like Hinton’s emphasize the importance of guiding its development with responsibility and foresight.

-AA

CASE STUDY

HOW TO FLUX?

🚀 Flux 1.1 Pro, AI Agents & VFX
With the extremely rapid expansion and improvement of AI models, their new use cases, and the impact they’re having on VFX and other industries, I find it necessary to share my opinions every now and then. This helps clarify things for people who may not be following the progress and might be dismissive of the technology due to a lack of accurate information.

I wrote a longer piece on LinkedIn a few days ago here is the link if you want to read it. But here is a quick summary and some information about the new Flux update:

The film industry is rapidly transforming with AI expanding creative possibilities and boosting efficiency. While AI may impact some jobs, it enhances the quality of work, allowing artists to focus more on creativity despite higher expectations.

🤖 AI Agents Revolutionize Workflows: AI agents are automating multi-step tasks in marketing, content creation, and soon VFX, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency. These agents handle specific tasks at set prices and can even delegate to other agents, driving costs down as they evolve.

🎨 Impact on VFX: In VFX, around 80% of complex tasks still require human artists, but AI is streamlining repetitive work. Tools like Houdini 20’s ONNX support are integrating AI into workflows, enabling artists to concentrate on the creative aspects and produce higher-quality visuals faster.

✨Flux 1.1 Pro by BlackForestLabs: Flux 1.1 Pro is six times faster and significantly better at understanding text prompts.

Performance Improvements:

1. Increased Speed: Flux 1.1 [Pro] generates images six times faster than the original Flux 1 Pro version1

2. Enhanced Image Quality: The new version produces higher quality outputs compared to previous iterations1

3. Better Prompt Adherence: Flux 1.1 Pro demonstrates improved ability to follow and interpret user prompts accurately3.

How to Get the Most Out of Prompts with FLUX:

• Steps and Convergence: FLUX tends to converge in stages: at 20-25, 30-35, and 40-50 steps. Increasing steps can stabilize the image, but going beyond the first tier (20-25) may lead to changes in composition. For complex images, aim for 40 steps or higher.

• Guidance: Adjusting the guidance value allows for more control over the style and realism. Higher guidance (3.5+) polishes and refines the image, while lower guidance (below 3) creates a more natural, artistic look. Negative guidance can lead to unexpected but often creative results.

• Shift Settings: Fine-tuning Max and Base shift settings can sharpen details or reduce noise. Higher shifts increase detail but may introduce artifacts, while lower shifts provide softer, cleaner images. Balance with steps for best results.

🔺Download my comparison contact sheet here

🔺Download my workflow here

-Ardy

SNIPPET

👽NVIDIA has teamed up with the SETI Institute to enhance the search for extraterrestrial life by leveraging its Holoscan technology.

👾A short film called "Project Arena" by Chaos Group showcases cutting-edge ray tracing technology while also making a statement about the VFX industry through comedy.

🤳Snapchat’s new AI feature lets you create Snapchat lenses by simply describing them.

🎬Apple TV+'s "Time Bandits" series featured notable environment work by DNEG.

💲💲The global Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector is projected to reach $6.8 billion by 2026, potentially creating over 160,000 new jobs annually.

✨Minimax just added a new image-to-video feature and it’s truly amazing.

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